Life

Record Breakers to Remember: Chrissie Wellington

We look back at the career of long-standing Kona and world record holder, British powerhouse, and best-loved triathlete.

by Holly Bennett

This October will mark 11 years since a barely-known British triathlete unexpectedly stormed the Kona course, earning the title of IRONMAN world champion in her Big Island debut. From her win in 2007 until her final professional appearance in 2011, Chrissie Wellington reigned as the unbeatable queen of Kona, missing the title only once, in 2010, when illness forced her withdrawal from the race.

The triathlon world fell in love with Wellington while watching her 2007 Kona performance. In her first season on the professional circuit, wearing a pair of borrowed shorts and a tankini that she snapped up at the race expo, and cycling on a broken pedal held together with glue, the Cinderella-story heroine was more surprised than anyone when she broke the finish tape in 9:08:45. For Great Britain, the win was especially sweet; Wellington was the first ever British athlete, male or female, to top the IRONMAN World Championship podium.

The 2007 victory proved far more than a one-off accomplishment for Wellington. Rather, it was a warm-up for a fast and furious few seasons ahead. The following year, she repeated her world championship performance, clocking 9:06:23. And in 2009, she upset Paula Newby-Fraser’s 17-year-safe IRONMAN World Championship course record and cracked the nine-hour mark, setting a new standard of 8:54:02. It was a record that would stand until Mirinda Carfrae lowered it in 2013. With the 2009 victory, Wellington became one of only three women (now four) to win the race in three consecutive years, joining an elite club that includes Paula Newby-Fraser, Natascha Badmann, and Daniela Ryf.

Wellington’s withdrawal from the 2010 Kona race was devastating, yet it only served to fuel her fire. In 2011, she returned with a vengeance, kicking off the season with a new overall IRONMAN world record of 8:33:56 in South Africa. Then, although a brutal bike crash just two weeks before the IRONMAN World Championship again threatened her ability to even start, Wellington pushed through unimaginable pain to score her fourth—and obviously hardest fought—Kona victory.

Wellington retired from professional triathlon after the 2011 season, undefeated in 10 of 10 IRONMAN races. It’s no wonder that she was welcomed into the IRONMAN Hall of Fame in 2017. And although Wellington no longer lines up in the pro field, she continues to parlay her sporting success as a platform to inspire others. She’s deeply passionate about encouraging women and girls in sport, and often undertakes endurance challenges in support of charities dear to her heart. Currently, she serves as Global Head of Health and Wellbeing for the parkrun series, which includes more than 460 5k events in 14 countries. She’s also authored two books: her autobiography, A Life Without Limits, and To the Finish Line: A Triathlon Training Guide. In 2015, Wellington earned what is surely her proudest title—that of mum—giving birth to daughter Esme Grace in December.

While Wellington’s time in the triathlon spotlight was relatively brief, it was unquestionably brilliant. And while throughout her racing career, she exhibited striking resilience and talent, it’s through her continued passion and pursuit of opportunities to inspire that Wellington will likely achieve her most meaningful triumphs.

Holly Bennett is a long-time freelance writer and triathlon journalist. When not immersed in her Mac, you’ll find her running, cycling, swimming, fine-tuning her foodie fascination, digging deep into a Malbec, or plotting her next active adventure around the world.